The pair of reindeer at Font-de-Gaume
These two reindeer are among the finest representations of this animal in Palaeolithic art. On the left, the black outline shows a male with enlarged antlers. The body itself was once painted, but this now appears to have been washed away by time and water running down the wall. The animal is leaning forward and seems to be sniffing its fellow animal. The second reindeer, smaller than the first and painted red, is probably a female. It is painted kneeling with its head close to the imaginary ground. Numerous fine engravings clarify certain details, such as the eyes and snouts of the two animals.
Reindeer facing each other in polychrome, main gallery, left wall, first section. (© O. Huard / Centre des monuments nationaux)
